Chester Wayne Akins

Chet was born on June 22, 1940 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His parents were Earnest Akins and Anabell Coleman.

He attended Prairie Valley Schools and went through college in the United States Navy.

Chet joined the United States Navy in 1957 at the age of 18 years old. During his service in the Navy he earned numerous awards and decorations to lead him to the title of being a Navy Master Chief. His awards included: Navy Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medals, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. During his time he was aboard several ships including: USS Balduck, USS Comstock, USS Bexar, USS Nicholas and USS Kilauea.

Chet got to travel around the world while serving his country. After retiring from 20 years of service in 1976 he came back to his home town in Shawnee, Oklahoma. After returning from the Navy he then worked as a maintenance engineer for Shawnee Public Schools and also had a successful performance horse business.

He was a member of the VFW and the American Quarter Horse Association.

Chet had many hobbies, such as playing golf, watching the OU girls softball games and buying cars.

Chet also shared a passion of training, breeding, and showing top of the line cutting horses. His most notable stud, “Silver Dee Bar,” produced many money earning colts.

Chet will always be remembered as “the life of the party.” He always had a smile on his face with a joke ready to tell, and usually showed up with a new car every time you saw him.

Chet was proceeded in death by his father, Earnest Akins; his mother, Anabell Coleman; his brother, Bill Akins; and his sister, Ann Pitts.

His immediate survivors are his daughter, Margaret "Mimi" Huber and husband Bill; Anita and Joe Myers; Sue and Toney McCullom; Tim and Rhonda Belcher; Jim and Trina Belcher; Mike, Ryan, and Thomas McCullom; Mia Belcher; Samuel Belcher, and many other grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Chester will be held Monday, June 19, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Resthaven Funeral Home, 44909 Highway 3, Shawnee, OK 74801.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfh.com for the Akins family.